2017–18 VCU Rams men's basketball team

The 2017–18 VCU Rams men's basketball team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Rams were led by Mike Rhoades in his first season as head coach at VCU. The Rams played their home games at Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

2017–18 VCU Rams men's basketball
ConferenceAtlantic 10 Conference
2017–18 record18–15 (9–9 A-10)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaStuart C. Siegel Center
2017–18 Atlantic 10 men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Rhode Island153 .833  268  .765
St. Bonaventure144 .778  268  .765
Davidson135 .722  2112  .636
Saint Joseph's108 .556  1616  .500
VCU99 .500  1815  .545
Saint Louis99 .500  1716  .515
George Mason99 .500  1617  .485
Richmond99 .500  1220  .375
Dayton810 .444  1417  .452
Duquesne711 .389  1616  .500
George Washington711 .389  1518  .455
La Salle711 .389  1319  .406
Massachusetts513 .278  1320  .394
Fordham414 .222  922  .290
2018 A10 Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

A chain of lost recruiting classes, coaching personnel changes, losses against low RPI teams, no wins against Top 50 RPI teams, and a graduating core of players resulted in a downturn in the team's fortunes. The team finished the season 18–15, 9–9 record in A-10 play to finish in a four-way tie for fifth place. The season was the 18th consecutive season the program finished with a winning record. As the No. 8 seed in the A-10 Tournament, the Rams defeated Dayton in the second round[1] before losing to Rhode Island in the quarterfinals.[2]

The Rams failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010, and failed to achieve a 20-win season for the first time since 2006. On March 11, 2018, Ed McLaughlin, the Athletics Director announced that VCU had declined an invitation to play in the College Basketball Invitational Tournament.[3] This marked the first season since 2006 the Rams did not play in a postseason tournament.[4]

Previous season

The Rams finished the 2016–17 season 26–9, 14–4 in A-10 play to finish in second place. VCU defeated George Mason and Richmond in the A-10 Tournament to advance to the championship game, where they lost to Rhode Island. They earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 10 seed in the West Region. There they lost to No. 7 Saint Mary's in the First Round.

Head coach Will Wade resigned on March 20 to take the head coaching position at LSU following the firing of Johnny Jones.[5] Wade was the head coach for the two seasons, making him VCU's shortest tenured head coach since Benny Dees.[6][7] On March 21, the school hired Rice head coach Mike Rhoades, who had been the associate head coach under Shaka Smart from 2009–2014.[8]

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
JeQuan Lewis1G6'1"180SeniorDickson, TennesseeGraduated
Samir Doughty2G6'4"185Freshman (redshirt)Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaTransferred to Auburn[9]
Doug Brooks5G6'4"200SeniorLake Wales, FloridaGraduated
Mo Alie-Cox12F6'7"250Senior (redshirt)Alexandria, VirginiaGraduated
Torey Burston14G5'8"180Senior (redshirt)Richmond, VirginiaGraduated
Marquell Fraser15G6'5"205FreshmanHamilton, OntarioTransferred to Midland College[10]
Jordan Burgess20G/F6'5"225Senior (redshirt)Midlothian, VirginiaGraduated
Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed23F6'9"240SeniorAlexandria, EgyptTransferred to TCU[11]

Transfers

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Marcus Evans2G6'2"195SophomoreChesapeake, VirginiaTransferred from Rice. Will be eligible to play in 2018–19.[12]
Khris Lane4F6'6"225RS-SeniorRichmond, VirginiaTransferred from Longwood.[13]
Mike'l Simms 13 G 6'5 220 Freshman Highland Springs, Virginia Transferred from Cowley Community College.[14]
Xavier Jackson 14 G 6'3 Sophomore Hinesville, Georgia Transferred from Sheridan College.[15]
Corey Douglas F 6'8" Sophomore Louisville, Kentucky Will attend Tallahassee Community College for the 2017–18 season and will then transfer to VCU. Spent the 2016–17 season at Rice.[16]

2017 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Marcus Santos-Silva
PF
Taunton, MA Vermont Academy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Sep 21, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 73
Sean Mobley
PF
Melbourne, FL Montverde Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Sep 25, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 80
Lewis Djonkam
PF
Springfield, VA Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Apr 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: N/A
Tyler Maye
PG
Farmville, NC Farmville Central High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) May 11, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "VCU 2017 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 12, 2015.

    2018 recruiting class

    US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
    P. J. Byrd
    PG
    Houston, TX George Bush High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 169 lb (77 kg) Sep 6, 2017 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: NR
    KeShawn Curry
    SG
    Jacksonville, FL Fork Union Military Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Oct 2, 2017 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: NR
    Vince Williams
    SF
    Toledo, OH St Johns High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 204 lb (93 kg) Oct 4, 2017 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 80
    Overall recruiting rankings:
    • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
    • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

    Sources:

      Roster

      2017–18 VCU Rams men's basketball team
      PlayersCoaches
      Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
      G 0 De'Riante Jenkins 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoHargrave Military Academy Eutawville, South Carolina
      G 1 Mike'l Simms 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS SoCowley Community College Richmond, Virginia
      G 2 Marcus Evans (I)  6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoRice Chesapeake, Virginia
      F 4 Justin Tillman 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) SrPershing High School Detroit, Michigan
      F 5 Sean Mobley 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg) FrMontverde Academy Melbourne, Florida
      G 10 Jonathan Williams 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)200 lb (91 kg) SrSt. Bendict's Prep Richmond, Virginia
      F 11 Issac Vann 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg) RS SoMaine Bridgeport, Connecticut
      G 12 Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrSt. Francis Prep (Michigan) Lake Havasu City, Arizona
      G 13 Malik Crowfield 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoRiverside Academy LaPlace, Louisiana
      F 14 Marcus Santos-Silva 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)255 lb (116 kg) FrVermont Academy Taunton, Massachusetts
      G 15 Xavier Jackson 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrSheridan College Hinesville, Georgia
      F 21 Khris Lane 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)245 lb (111 kg) RS SrLongwood Richmond, Virginia
      F 22 Lewis Djonkam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)245 lb (111 kg) FrHargrave Military Academy Springfield, Virginia
      G 25 Tyler Maye 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)175 lb (79 kg) FrFarmville Central High School Farmville, North Carolina
      Head coach
      Assistant coach(es)

      Legend
      • (C) Team captain
      • (S) Suspended
      • (I) Ineligible
      • (W) Walk-on

      Roster

      Preseason

      In a poll of the league's head coaches and select media members at the conference's media day, the Rams were picked to finish in fourth place in the A-10.[17] Justin Tillman was named to the conference's preseason first team.[17] Tillman and Jonathan Williams were named to the preseason All-Defensive team.[17]

      Schedule and results

      Date
      time, TV
      Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
      city, state
      Exhibition
      Oct 26, 2017*
      7:00 pm
      Liberty
      Hurricane Relief Exhibition
      L 69–85  N/A
       14  Crowfield  6  Vann  5  Williams  Siegel Center (3,497)
      Richmond, VA
      Nov 3, 2017*
      7:00 pm
      Virginia Union W 98–74  N/A
       21  Lane  8  Lane  6  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Non-conference regular season
      Nov 10, 2017*
      7:00 pm, MASN
      Grambling State W 94–65  1–0
       14  3 Tied  10  Tillman  5  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Nov 13, 2017*
      7:00 pm, MASN
      North Florida
      Maui Invitational Mainland game
      W 95–85  2–0
       27  Tillman  8  Tied  8  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Nov 17, 2017*
      4:00 pm, CBSSN
      Virginia L 67–76  2–1
       19  Vann  8  Tillman  8  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Nov 20, 2017*
      2:30 pm, ESPN2
      vs. Marquette
      Maui Invitational Tournament quarterfinals
      L 83–94  2–2
       17  Crowfield  7  Tillman  6  Williams  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
      Lahaina, HI
      Nov 21, 2017*
      7:00 pm, ESPN2
      vs. California
      Maui Invitational Tournament consolation 2nd round
      W 83–69  3–2
       27  Jenkins  11  Jenkins  8  Williams  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
      Lahaina, HI
      Nov 22, 2017*
      5:00 pm, ESPN2
      vs. Michigan
      Maui Invitational Tournament 5th place game
      L 60–68  3–3
       13  Lane  8  Lane  2  Tied  Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
      Lahaina, HI
      Nov 28, 2017*
      7:00 pm, MASN
      Appalachian State W 85–72  4–3
       21  Tillman  6  Tied  7  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 2, 2017*
      7:00 pm, MASN
      Old Dominion
      Rivalry
      W 82–75  5–3
       28  Tillman  9  Santos-Silva  9  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 5, 2017*
      7:00 pm, ESPN2
      Texas L 67–71  5–4
       22  Tillman  10  Tillman  7  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 9, 2017*
      3:00 pm, FOX
      at No. 19 Seton Hall
      Never Forget Tribute Classic
      L 67–90  5–5
       20  Tillman  8  Tillman  6  Williams  Prudential Center (9,112)
      Newark, NJ
      Dec 16, 2017*
      6:00 pm, WTVR
      Bucknell W 85–79  6–5
       26  Tillman  7  Tillman  6  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 19, 2017*
      7:00 pm, MASN
      Winthrop W 68–53  7–5
       22  Tillman  11  Tillman  6  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Dec 22, 2017*
      7:00 pm, WTVR
      VMI W 75–65  8–5
       19  Tillman  13  Tillman  9  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Atlantic 10 regular season
      Dec 30, 2017
      12:30 pm, NBCSN
      Fordham W 76–63  9–5
      (1–0)
       23  Tillman  14  Tillman  5  Vann  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Jan 3, 2018
      7:00 pm
      at Saint Joseph's L 81–87 OT 9–6
      (1–1)
       22  Tillman  12  Tillman  5  Jenkins  Hagan Arena (3,518)
      Philadelphia, PA
      Jan 6, 2018
      2:00 pm, NBCSN
      at La Salle W 80–74  10–6
      (2–1)
       20  Jenkins  10  Tillman  5  Williams  Tom Gola Arena (2,312)
      Philadelphia, PA
      Jan 9, 2018
      8:00 pm, Stadium
      Duquesne W 78–67  11–6
      (3–1)
       21  Williams  17  Tillman  4  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Jan 12, 2018
      7:00 pm, ESPN2
      at Dayton L 79–106  11–7
      (3–2)
       26  Tillman  12  Tillman  6  Jenkins  UD Arena (12,507)
      Dayton, OH
      Jan 17, 2018
      7:00 pm
      Richmond
      Capital City Classic
      L 52–67  11–8
      (3–3)
       12  Tillman  9  Tillman  2  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Jan 20, 2018
      12:30 pm, NBCSN
      George Washington W 87–63  12–8
      (4–3)
       18  Jenkins  8  Tillman  4  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Jan 23, 2018
      9:00 pm, CBSSN
      at Saint Louis W 75–74 OT 13–8
      (5–3)
       25  Tillman  12  Tillman  5  Williams  Chaifetz Arena (5,649)
      St. Louis, MO
      Jan 27, 2018
      2:00 pm, CBSSN
      at George Mason
      Rivalry
      W 84–76  14–8
      (6–3)
       25  Lane  12  Lane  6  Williams  EagleBank Arena (7,028)
      Fairfax, VA
      Feb 2, 2018
      7:00 pm, ESPN2
      No. 22 Rhode Island L 68–81  14–9
      (6–4)
       22  Tillman  6  Tillman  4  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 7, 2018
      9:00 pm, CBSSN
      at Richmond
      Capital City Classic
      L 76–77  14–10
      (6–5)
       21  Tillman  4  Lane  4  Jenkins  Robins Center (7,201)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 10, 2018
      6:00 pm, CBSSN
      Dayton W 88–84 OT 15–10
      (7–5)
       37  Tillman  8  Tillman  5  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 14, 2018
      7:00 pm, CBSSN
      Davidson L 63–74  15–11
      (7–6)
       22  Tillman  8  Tillman  7  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 17, 2018
      4:00 pm, Stadium
      at George Washington L 56–80  15–12
      (7–7)
       11  Tillman  13  Tillman  4  Williams  Charles E. Smith Center (3,979)
      Washington, D.C.
      Feb 21, 2018
      7:00 pm, MASN
      at Massachusetts W 82–78  16–12
      (8–7)
       26  Tillman  13  Tillman  7  Mobley  Mullins Center (3,322)
      Amherst, MA
      Feb 24, 2018
      8:00 pm, CBSSN
      St. Bonaventure L 63–68  16–13
      (8–8)
       20  Tillman  10  Tillman  7  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Feb 28, 2018
      7:00 pm, MASN
      George Mason
      Rivalry
      L 80–81  16–14
      (8–9)
       20  Simms  11  Tillman  6  Williams  Siegel Center (7,637)
      Richmond, VA
      Mar 3, 2018
      2:00 pm, WTVR
      at Fordham W 83–58  17–14
      (9–9)
       18  Tillman  13  Tillman  4  Crowfield  Rose Hill Gymnasium (2,325)
      Bronx, NY
      Atlantic 10 Tournament
      Mar 8, 2018
      12:00 pm, NBCSN
      (8) vs. (9) Dayton
      Second Round
      W 77–72  18–14
       15  Tillman  10  Tillman  5  Tied  Capital One Arena (6,483)
      Washington, D.C.
      Mar 9, 2018
      12:00 pm, NBCSN
      (8) vs. (1) No. 25 Rhode Island
      Quarterfinals
      L 67–76  18–15
       23  Tillman  15  Tillman  7  Williams  Capital One Arena (7,321)
      Washington, D.C.
      *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
      All times are in Eastern Time.

      References

      1. "Dayton vs. VCU - Game Recap - March 8, 2018 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
      2. "VCU vs. Rhode Island - Game Recap - March 9, 2018 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
      3. "Health top factor in VCU's decision to pass on postseason". Richmond Times-Dispatch. richmond.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
      4. Epps, Jr., Wayne (March 11, 2018). "For the first time in 11 years, VCU won't play postseason basketball". Richmond Times-Dispatch. richmond.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
      5. "VCU's Will Wade hired as next coach at LSU". ESPN. espn.com. March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
      6. "Benny Dees Coaching Record". Sports Reference. sports-reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
      7. Parrish, Gary. "LSU hires VCU's Will Wade as coach". CBS Sports. CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
      8. "VCU moves quickly to hire Mike Rhoades from Rice to fill coaching vacancy". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
      9. "VCU transfer Samir Doughty officially signs with Auburn". AL.com. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
      10. Young, Tai (2017-06-30). "Former VCU F Marquell Fraser is transferring to Midland". @TaiYoungVC. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
      11. "Ahmed Hamdy signs with TCU hoops as grad transfer from VCU". Retrieved 2017-07-15.
      12. Times-Dispatch, TIM PEARRELL Richmond. "High-scoring guard Marcus Evans follows Mike Rhoades to VCU". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
      13. Times-Dispatch, Tim Pearrell Richmond. "Longwood basketball graduate Khris Lane transferring to VCU". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
      14. Morton, Matt (2017-06-02). "JUCO transfer Mike'l Simms commits to VCU – VCU Ram Nation". VCU Ram Nation. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
      15. Shelton-Eide, Mat (2017-07-07). "VCU gets commitment from JUCO guard Xavier Jackson – VCU Ram Nation". VCU Ram Nation. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
      16. Shelton-Eide, Mat (2017-06-18). "Corey Douglas commits to VCU – VCU Ram Nation". VCU Ram Nation. Retrieved 2017-07-26.
      17. "Rhode Island Picked to Win A-10 Men's Basketball". Atlantic 10 Conference. Atlantic10.com. October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
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